Lubricating system



July 29, 1958 VR.' F. sc-HNELLER LUBRICATING SYSTEM Filed Feb. 25, 1956 United States Patent l LUBRICATING ASYSTEM RudyF. Schneller-,'Fallon, Mo., assigner -to The 'McNeil Machine & Engineering Company, Akron, Ohio, a cor= poration o'ffhio Application February 23,1956, Serial No. -567,131.0

9 fols. Crise-'7) .This inventiontrelate's to. lubricating asystems, and more .particularly -to a lubricating system torautomotive vehicles.

`Among the several fobjects of Ithe invention may be noted theprovision of 'an improvedlubricating system for anfauto'motivevehiclewhich is carried by the vehicle and which is adapted automatically to provide Vfor proper, regular and frequent (but 4not too frequent) lubrication of various points of lubrication of the vehicle; the provision ,of -a 'system of this `'class which includes means whereby lubrication is effected automatically in response to a predetermined number of operations of the vehicle starter switch; the .provision of a system Vof this vclass which also includes means Ywhereby lubrication may be :manually effected at will; the provision of a system of yflhis class which includes :means for 'signalling the Ycompossible embodiments of the invention is illustrated, the

single .figure is a Wiring diagram `with certain :parts of the system Ashown insection.

Referring to the drawing, a rlubricating system of this invention is fshown to include a lubricant injector A yfor dispensing :measured charges of lubricant from a supply Yto individual peints of lubrication of an 'automotive vehiycle (not shown).

As illustrated'this y:injector A the same type as shown 'in U. S. Patent 2,715,454, patented August 16, 19.55. In lgen'eral, it vcomprisesa cylinder *designated :in its entirety by the re'feie'nce character 13.

This cylinder 13 comprises an elongate cylinder 'block 14 made of `suitable metal, `beingelectrically conductive, .and having an integral lcylindrical extension 21 at "one end `constituting Iits .forward end. Threaded 'on this extension '21 isa jhead y22. rPhe block 14 has a central longitudinal bore 23. The head 22 has `a vbore 25 .in extension of the borein the block. plunger ldfrnade of suitable metal is movable in the cylinder 13 toward 'and 'away from its forwardA yend '(its right'end vas viewed in lthe drawing).

i The plunger is -diinensioned to have a `sliding 'sealing ,t

in the bore 23. t--is electrically conductive and is in electrically conductive relation with :respect to the `block 14.

The 'bleek' 11i-has a lateral inlet port jzr and a series' .or longitudinally' spaced lateral outlet Vports corresponding to the outlet ports -I to 0412 Shown in U. S. Patent 2,715,454. nly 'the outlet pOfsMOl, 0 5,A O49, O44, -8 and -12 appear inthe drawing. The inlet port 27 is located adjacent thegforwa'r'd end ofv tlie block leading into the bore z3, and the outlet perfs are located between 2,845,142 Patented July 29, 1958 ice the other end of the block -(its`frearward end) Iand the inlet port. Reference may fbe made to U. S. Patent 2,715,454 for details as to the Adisposition of the jjp'orts with respectto theperipheryofthe block. .Thefinletjport at its outer end is formed as fa threade'd fsocket28 for receiving the screw-threadedneck N cfa -can'C of 'lubricant. Eachoutlet port at its `"outeren'd is '.formedasfn enlarged threaded socltet v29 for .receivingf a conipression nut 30 for vconnection 'thereto of -aflubricant "delivery line L leading to a point of lubrication of the vehicle irl lthe same yrnanner as shown in U. S. Patent 2,715,454.

Theiforwardor working end of tlieplung'erftoward lthe forward or hea'd'endfof thegcyli'nderlisdesignated f31. The plunger .is made hollow for :some distance from "its `working Vend 31 to provide a longitudinal .passage 4'generally designated 32 for communication vfrom the 'space in the cylinder 13 ahead of the plunger to a lateral port 33 in the plunger Ispaced fromits `working end. The forward-end of passage 32 is formed-as iaV valvec'hamber-ancl contains a check valve seat member 37 -and a valve ball 39 adapted to engage the s'eat37. The ball 39`is biased toward the seat by acompression springgltl.

The lateral port 33 -i'n the Vplunger is 'formed as anan- -nula'r peripheral -groove with radial openings [from tithe .passage 32-to the groove. As in U. S. Patent 2,715,454, the intervals between the 'outletports are vmade `equal to the width of the ,porter groove 33, and the `distance from the working `end .31 of -the plunger 26 to the rightedge ofthe groove 33 is made equal to the distance from 'th'e right edge of the inlet port 27 -to -the left edge of the rst outlet port 0 1. Thus, when the `.plunger is moved for- 'ward from the `retracted charging position shown the drawing wherein it unblocks the inlet port `27, the groove 33 comes into communication with the -rst outlet sport O-l `as the plunger reaches the ,position where it 'blocks ott the inlet port. Whenl the plunger j-is in its retracted position, lubricant may flow through the *inlet 'port into the space in cylinder 13 ahead of the plunger -to charge the injector. The groove 33 is 'then located to the left of the first outlet port O`1 and is blocked.

The head 22 has an opening 40a in its outer vend smaller than bore 2S. vAn electrically conductive bolt42 is received in thefopening 40a with the'vbolt head 43 in the bore 25 and the shank of the bolt 'extending out 'of the head 22. A nut'44 holds the bolt in place.,I The boltfis electrically insulated from the-head 22 as indicated atf45. A second nut 46 `is threaded on theshanlcof the fboltfoutward of the nut 44 for wire-clamping purposes, as will appear.

The rearward lend of the cylinder 13 (its Ileft end =as viewed -in the drawing) is counterbored asvindicated -at 47. y'Threaded in the counterbore 47 is a `tubular fitting 48 vfor attachment to the cylinder 13 -of a diaphragmtype vacuum motor .generally designated 49. The diaphragm of this motor is indicated at S3. Details of the motor may be 'ascertained from U. S. .Patent 2,715,454. An lelectrically conductive mounting bracket 57 isgclampcd between the fitting V48 and the rearward yend of thecyli-nder 13 in conductive relation with respect to the cylin der. The tting 48 has a lateral -port '59 in which is provided ay 'nipple 60 -for connection of a vacuum line 61. The plunger 26 extends rearward out of 'the cylinder 13 and through the tting 48 into the motor `'49 vfor engagement of its rearward end by the diaphragm. A `pair Yof coil compression springs 68 and '69 bias 'the plunger and the diaphragm rearward to 'the kretracted charging ,position illustrated in the drawing. Inl the retracted 'posithe can C into tlie sp'ac in cylinder 13 'ahead' of the plunger. Upon evacuation of 'the' motor chamber 5u 3 the right side of the diaphragm via port 59, atmospheric pressure on the left side of the diaphragm drives the diaphragm and the plunger to the right against the return bias of springs 68 and 69. Forward movement of the plunger is limited by engagement-of its forward end 31 with the head 43 of bolt 42.

The mounting bracket 57 is attached to the Vehicle at any convenient location where the bracket will be electrically grounded as indicated at 63. Lubricant delivery lines such as indicated at L lead from the outlet ports of the injector to points of lubrication of the vehicle in the manner shown in U. S. Patent 2,715,454. Means for connecting the vacuum motor 49 to the intake manifold of the vehicle is shown to comprise the line 61 and an electrically controlled valve 65, specifically a solenoid valve, in the line 61. This valve is of a type which, when deenergized, vents the vacuum motor 49 while holding vacuum in the 'manifold and which, when energized, connects the vacuum motor and the manifold. The coil of the solenoid valve is designated 67. As illustrated in the drawing, the valve may be of a type having a plunger 69 formed with a passage 71 for venting the vacuum motor while blocking the motor from the intake manifold when the coil is deenergized, and formed with another passage 73 for connecting the vacuum motor and the intake manifold when the coil is energized. The valve has a return spring 74 for biasing it downward as shown in the drawing to the venting position. Associated with the valve is a set of contacts 75 (insulated from the metal solenoid body). These contacts open when the coil is deenergized and the plunger is in the retracted position illustrated in the drawing, and close when the coil is energized.

At 77 is indicated the battery of the vehicle. One terminal of the battery is shown grounded as indicated at 79. The other terminal of the battery is connected to one terminal of the usual ignition switch 81 for the vehicle. A line 83, including a fuse 85, connects the other terminal of the ignition switch to one terminal of a resistor 87. Lines 89 and 91 connect the other' terminal of the resistor to one terminal of the solenoid valve coil 67, and to the bolt 42 of the injector A, respectively. A line 93 connects the other terminal of coil 67 to one terminal of the set of contacts 75. The other terminal of the set of contacts 75 is grounded as indicated at 95. Contacts 75 and lines 93 and 95 constitute a holding circuit for solenoid coil 67. A line 97 connects the stated other terminal of the coil to one terminal of a counting relay 99. This relay is of a type having a set of contacts 101, a coil 103, land means (not shown) for effecting closure of the contacts 101 in response to a predetermined number of current impulses through the coil 103. Relays of this type are well-known (also being known as step-by-step or notching relays) and details thereof are omitted as not essential to this invention.

It is preferred to use a relay of the type of construction shown in the copending coassigned U. S. patent application of Victor G. Klein for Electrical Relay, Serial No. 564,739 filed February 10, 1956 issued as Patent 2,813,949,

November 19, 1957. The relay coil 103 is connected in J series with the starter switch 105 of the vehicle in a line 107, as by connecting the coil between a termina1 of the starter relay SR of the vehicle and ground, so that it receives a current impulse each time the vehicle is started. A manual push button switch 109 is connected in a line 111 between line 97 and ground in parallel with the relay contacts 101. This push button switch 109 is located on the dash of the vehicle in position for operation by the driver. A signal lamp 113 is connected in a line 115 between lines 83 and 97.

Operation is as follows:

Each time the starter switch 105 of the vehicle is closed to start the engine of the vehicle, a circuit is completed through the coil 103 of the counting relay 99 to energize the coil and operate the relay through one step.

l The circuit through the coil 103 is completed from the battery 77 through the ignition switch 81, the starter switch 105 and the line 107 to ground. The circuit is completed only as long as the starter switch is held closed.

Each time the relay completes a predetermined number of steps, its contacts 101 close. Upon closure of the contacts 101, a rst circuit is completed for the coil 67 of the solenoid valve as follows: from battery 77 through ignition switch 81, line 83 including fuse 85, resistor 87, line 89, coil 67, line 97 and contacts 101 to ground. Upon energization of the coil 67, the solenoid valve is operated (its plunger is raised from the position shown in the drawing) to connect the vacuum motor 49 to the intake manifold of the vehicle via the plunger passage 73. Energization of the coil 67 also results in closure of contacts to establish a holding circuit for the coil 67 so that the coil 67 remains energized when the contacts 101 reopen. This holding circuit is as follows: from battery 77 through ignition switch 81, line 83 including fuse 85, resistor 87, line 89, coil 67, line 93, closed contacts 75 and ground connection 95. The signal lamp 113 is also energized, the circuit for this lamp being as follows: from battery 77 through ignition switch 81, line 83, line 115, line 97, line 93, closed contacts 75 and ground connection Since the engine of the vehicle has been started, vacuum is established in the intake manifold of the vehicle and a vacuum is drawn in the motor 49 via the line 61. Atmospheric pressure on the motor diaphragm 53 drives the diaphragm and the injector plunger 26 forward (to the right as viewed in the drawing) through a pressure stroke against the return bias of the springs 68 and 69. Upon such forward movement of the plunger from its retracted position illustrated in the drawing, equal charges of lubricant are forced out of the cylinder successively through the outlet ports one after another and delivered to the points of lubrication of the vehicle via the delivery lines L. Further details of the operation of the injector may be ascertained from U. S. Patent 2,715,454.

The plunger 26 moves forward until its forward end engages the head 43 of the bolt 42. Upon such engagement of the plunger with the bolt, a shunt path for shunting the holding circuit for the solenoid valve coil 67 is established via line 91, bolt 42, the plunger, cylinder block 14, and the ground connection indicated at 63. The resistor 87 limits the current through the shunting path. The coil 67 of the solenoid valve is thereupon deenergized and the plunger 69 of the solenoid valve returnsto the position shown in the drawing, in which it vents the vacuum motor 49 via passage 71 while holding vacuum in the intake manifold, and opens the contacts 75. The springs 68 and 69 thereupon return the injector plunger 26 to its retracted charging position, and the injector is recharged with lubricant for the next operation, lubricant owing through the inlet port 27 into the space' in the cylinder ahead of the plunger 26 to fill this space. Upon the return of the plunger 26 to its retracted position, the end 31 of the plunger 26 is disengaged from the head 43 of the bolt 42, and the stated shunting path is thereby opened. The signal lamp 113 is deenergized upon opening of contacts 75, to indicate that lubrication has been completed.

From the above, it will be understood that the injector A is automatically operated in response to a predetermined number of operations of the vehicle starter switch 105. This number is determined by the counting relay 99, and equals the number of steps of the relay between successive closures of the relay contacts 101. This number may be selected to provide for lubrication on a mileage basis, based on the driving habits of the average driver. For example, operation of the injector once for every six starts of the vehicle will provide for lubrication approximately once for each fifty miles driven, taking into consideration such factors as the average distance between Stops and Qeasicnal Operatigncof the vStarter,Switch twice to `Sart the engine ofthe vehicle. Operation of the injector may 'be' effected at any time while the engine Ais running, overriding the automatic control, by momentary closure of the push `button switchr109 to completen circuit through the coil 67 as follows: from :battery 77 through vignition switch 81, Vline 83 including fuse 85, esisto'refl', line :89, coil 67, line 97 and-line 'ljl'lpincludifn'g closed switch i109 `to ground. This results in operation' of the solenoid valve 65, closure of the holding circuit 'for the valve, energization of the lamp '113, and operation of the-injector as above described, YWhen the plunger of the `injector completes its vpressure stroke, the `holding circuit vis shunted as above described, vthe solenoid ,valve deenergized, the plunger of the "injector is retracted, and the lampis deenergized as above described.

In view of the above, it will ybe .seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained. l

As various changes `could be made in the above constructions without departing from the vscope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in 'a limiting sense. i

l claim:

l. In a lubricating system for an automotive vehicle, said vehicle having an engine, an intake manifold for the engine in which a vacuum is drawn when the engine is running, and a starter switch for the engine, said system being Vvof the class comprising a lubricant injector, a

lvacuum-operated motor for operating the injector, and

means for connecting the vacuum motor to the manifold including au Velectrically controlled valve which when deenergized vents the vacuum motor while holding vacuum inthe -manifold and which when energized connects the vacuum motor and the manifold, the improvement comprising the provision of a counting relay interconnected with said starter switch so that the relay is energized each time the starter switch is closed and interconnected with said valve to energize the valve upon a predetermined number Vof operations of the starter switch. 2. In a lubricating system for an automotive vehicle, said vehicle having an engine, an intake manifold for the engine in which a'vacuum is drawn when the engine is ruiming, and a starter switch for the engine, said system being f the class comprising a lubricant' injector, a Vvacuum-operated motor for operating the injector, and means for connecting the vacuum motor to the manifold including an electrically controlled valve which when deenergized feats the mater While holding vacuum in the manifold and which when energized connects the vacuum motor 'and the manifold;theimprovement comprising the provision of a counting relay intergcopnected with said starter switch so that the relay is energized ea'ch time the starter switch is closed and interconnected with said valve to energize the valve upon a predetermined number of operations of the starter switch, a holding circuit for the valve, and means responsive to completion of operation of the injector for deenergiziug the holding circuit.

3. In a lubricating system for an automotive vehicle, said vehicle having an engine, an intake manifold for the engine in which a vacuum is drawn when the engine is running, and a starter switch for the engine, said system being of the class comprising a lubricant injector, a vacuum-operated motor for operating the injector, and means for connecting the vacuum motor to the manifold including an electrically controlled valve which when deenergized vents the vacuum motor While holding Vacuum in the manifold and which when energized connects the vacuum motor and the manifold, the improvement comprising the provision of a counting relay interconnected with said starter switch so that the relay is energized each time the starter switch is closed and Iinterconnected with said ,valve to energize the valve upon ,a predetermined numberof operations of the starterswitch, a manually operable switch shuntconnected `across the relay 'for energizing the valve at will, a holding circuit for thetvalve, and means responsive to completion of operation o'f the injector for deenergizing vthe holding circuit.

4. ln a `lubricatingsystem for an automotive vehicle, said vehicle :having an engine, an'intake manifoldffor vthe engine in which a vacuum is `drawn when the engine 4is running, and a starter switch for the engine, said system being ofthe class comprising aj'lubricant injector, a `vacuum-operated motor for operatingxthe injector, and means for connecting the vacuum motor to the manifold including an electrically controlled valve which when deenergized vents the vacuum motor while holding vacuumfin the manifold and which when :energized connects the vacuum motor and the manifold, the improvement comprising the provision of a counting relay interconnected with `said starter switch so that the relay is energized each time the starter switchis closed and interconnected with said valve to'energize the valve upon a predetermined number of operations of the starter switch, a signal in- .terconnected with the relay to be energized upon a predetermined number of operations of the starter switch, a'holding circuit for the valve and the signal, and means responsive to completion of operation of the injector for deenergizing the holding circuit.

5. In a lubricating system for an automotive vehicle, said vehicle having an engine, an intake manifold for the engine in which a vacuum is drawn when the engine is running, .and a starter switch for the engine, said system being of the class comprising a lubricant injector, .a vacuum-operated motor for operating the injector, and means for connecting the vacuum motor to the manifold including an ,electrically controlled valve which when deenergized vents the vacuum motor while holding vacuum in the manifold and which when ,energized connects the vacuum motor and the manifold, thel improvement comprising the -provision of a counting rel-ay interconnected with said starter switch so that the relay is energized each time the starter switch is closed and interconnected with said valve to energize the valve upon a predetermined number of-operations of the starter switch, a manually@ operable switch 4connected in a circuit in parallel with the relay for energizing the valve at will, a signal interconnected with the relay and manually operable switch to be energized upon a predetermined number of voperations ofthe starter switch or upon operation of said manually operable switch, a holding circuit for the valve and the signal, and means responsive to completion of operation o f the injector for deenergizing the holding circuit.

6. I n a lubricating system for an automotive vehicle, said vehicle having an engine, an intake manifold for the engine in which a vacuum is drawn whenthe engine is running, and a starter switch for the engine, said system being of the class comprising a lubricant injector for dispensing measured charges of lubricant from a supply to individual points of lubrication on the vehicle, said injector comprising a cylinder having an inlet port and a series of longitudinally spaced outlet ports and a plunger working in the cylinder and adapted upon movement in one direction through a pressure stroke successively to force out individual charges through the successive outlet ports, said cylinder being recharged through the inlet port with lubricant from the supply upon movement of the plunger through a return stroke, said cylinder being electrically conductive and electrically grounded on the vehicle, and having an electrical Contact at its forward end, said contact being insulated from the cylinder, thel plunger being electrically conductive and in conductiverelation to the cylinder, a vacuum-operated motor foroperating the injector, and means for connecting the vacuum motor to the manifold including a solenoid valve which when deenergized vents the vacuum motor while holding vacuum in the manifold and which when ener-` gized connects the vacuum motor and the manifold, the improvement comprising the provision of a counting relay having a coil interconnected with said starter switch so that the relay is energized each time the starter switch is operated and having a set of contacts connected in a first circuit with said solenoid valve adapted to close andenergize the valve upon a predetermined number of operations of the starter switch, a resistor in said circuit, a holding circuit for the solenoid valve interconnected with said rst circuit, said contact at the forward end of the injector cylinder being interconnected with said first circuit where by the solenoid valve. is shunted to deenergize it when the plunger engages said contact Iat the end of a pressure stroke.

7. In a lubricating system as set forth in claim 6. a manually operable switch connected in a circuit in parallel with the contacts of the relay for energizing the solenoid valve at will.

8. In a lubricating system for an automotive vehicle, said vehicle having an engine, an intake manifold for the engine in which a vacuum is drawn when the engine is running, and a starter switch for the engine, said system being of the class comprising a lubricant injector for dispensing measured charges of lubricant from a supply to individual points of lubrication on the vehicle, said injector comprising a cylinder having an inlet port and a series of longitudinally spaced outlet ports and-a plunger working in the cylinder and adapted upon movement in one direction through a pressure stroke successively to force out individual charges through the successive outlet ports, said cylinder being recharged through the inlet port with lubricant from the supply upon movement of the plunger through a return stroke, said cylinder being electrically conductive and electrically grounded on the vehicle, and having an electrical contact at its forward end, said contact being insulated from the cylinder, the plunger being electrically conductive and in conductive relation to the cylinder, a vacuum-operated motor for operating the injector, and means 'for connecting the vacuum motor to the manifold including a solenoid valve which when decnergized vents the vacuum motor while holding vacuum in the manifold and which when energized connects the vacuum motor and the manifold, the improvement comprising the provision of a counting relay having a coil interconnected with said starter switch so that the relay is energized each time the starter switch is operated and having a set of contacts connected in a first circuit with said solenoid valve adapted to close and energize the valve upon a predetermined number of operations of the starter switch, a resistor in said circuit, a signal lamp interconnected with the relay to be energized upon a predetermined number of operations of the starter switch, a holding circuit for the solenoid valve and the signal lamp interconnected with said first circuit, said contact at the forward end of the injector cylinder being interconnected with said tirst circuit whereby the solenoid valve is shunted to deenergize it when the plunger engages said contact at the end of a pressure stroke.

9. In a lubricating system for an automotive vehicle, said vehicle having an engine, an intake manifold for the engine in which a vacuum is drawn when the engine is running, and a starter switch for the engine, said system being of the class comprising a lubricant injector for dispensing measured charges of lubricant from a supply to individual points of lubrication on the vehicle, said injector comprising a cylinder having an inlet port and a series of longitudinally spaced outlet ports and a plunger working in the cylinder and adapted upon movement in one direction through a pressure stroke successively to force out individual charges through the successive outlet ports, said cylinder being recharged through the inlet port with lubricant from the supply upon movement of the plunger through a return stroke, said cylinder being electrically conductive and electrically grounded on the vehicle, and having an electrical contact at its forward end, said contact being insulated from the cylinder, the plunger being electrically conductive and in conductive relation to the cylinder, a vacuum-operated motor for operating the injector, and means for connecting the vacuum motor to the manifold including a solenoid valve which when deenergized vents the vacuum motor while holding vacuum in the manifold and which when energized connects the vacuum motor and the manifold, the improvement comprising the provision of a counting relay having a coil interconnected with said starter switch so that the relay is energized each time the starter switch is operated and having a set of contacts connected in a rst circuit with said solenoid valve adapted to close and energize the valve upon a predetermined number of operations of the starter switch, a resistor in said circuit, a manually operable switch connected in a circuit in parallel with the contacts of the relay for energizing the valve at will, a signal lamp interconnected with the relay and manually operable switch to be energized upon a predetermined number of operations of the starter switch or upon operation of the manually operable switch, a holding circuit for the solenoid valve and the signal lamp interconnected with said rst circuit, said contact at the forward end of the injector cylinder being interconnected with said first circuit whereby the solenoid valve is shunted to deenergize it when the plunger engages said contact at the end of a pressure stroke.

References Cited in the lle of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,914,900 Tarbox June 20, 1933 

